Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Where we are?

Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and diseases (Poster by: Maram Taibah)

Combating HIV/AIDS: Taking into account the large number of expatriates in the country, the Kingdom pays substantial efforts to combat and halt the spread of HIV/AIDS. By the end of 2010, the cumulative number of the reported cases reached 16,334 cases, of which 4458 were Saudis and 11,876 were expatriates. In 2010, the number of reported cases stood at 1,121 cases of which 682 were expatriates and 439 were Saudis.

The age distribution of the cases reported in 2010, shows that 3% of the cases were below 15 years old, 83% in the age group (15-49) years and 4% in the age group 50 years and above. It is noteworthy that the Saudi government provides universal access to treatment for all who need it.

Seeking to control the spread of HIV/AIDS, the government diligently applies preventive measures. "The National Program for Combating HIV/AIDS", which is the focus of national efforts aiming at combating this disease.

The Kingdom is currently implementing a national program for combating tuberculosis aimed at eradicating the disease through adoption of Directly Observed Treatment system of TB (DOTS) commenced in 1998 and was extended to all regions in 2000. The program has already achieved remarkable success, with incidence falling from 18.6 cases per 100,000 people in 1990 to about 11.4 in 2010 and the rate of cases detected and cured, in line with DOTS, reaching 100% in 2010.